Diamond Dogs 30th Anniversary Edition [Extra tracks]

David Bowie

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 15, 2004
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B0001RVUW4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #127,394 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And, in the death....., August 2, 2004

By	Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

Those four words lead off the album that scared the tar outta me as a 14 year old. Even more than my well worn Black Sabbath albums. Sabbath was scary, but a lot of that came from the fact that they were so darn heavy and demonic. But on "Diamond Dogs," David Bowie just made everything musically bone rattling, insane and unsettling. Visualizing Hunger City and the hordes of jeweled and fur clad "peoploids" on the prowl was akin to something out of a George Romero movie. I was too young to understand what a rock and roll musical would sound like, all I knew was "We Are The Dead" and "Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family" captured my attention like no other save for Alice Cooper.

No other album or artist has done that for me since. Marylyn Manson? Megadeth? Slayer? Mindless poseurs all after the theatrics of "Sweet Thing/Candidate." Of course I couldn't know it at the time, but Bowie was beginning to bridge the gap between the Ziggy character (in retrospect, it seems like this was the album where Ziggy is at last buried forever) and the soon to emerge Philly Soul monger of "Young Americans." The croon Bowie lays into "When You Rock and Roll With Me" and the "Shaft/Superfly" licks in "1984" are the most obvious forays in that direction.

But still, is this really 30 years old? Jeepers, it sounds like it was recorded last week. "Diamond Dogs" is now enriched by the excellent packaging, including Bowie's comments about his state of mind during the creation of the "1984" stage musical concept to several of the contributing players' thoughts, and a host of pictures and other graphics from the period. The bonus disc is a treat as well. I'd actually forgotten the single mix of "Rebel Rebel," and my ensuing disappointment when I bought the album and the background vocals were gone! But why quarrel with what has to be one of the ten best guitar riffs ever composed?

Additional kudos must be given to the fact that this is a two CD set. While a single disc with bonus tracks could have easily been released (and has), "Diamond Dogs'" original 40 minutes stands at its best without additional clutter tacked on the end like some hideous footnote from an obsessive Bowie acolyte insisting that a masterpiece has to be amended. MORE artists/albums need to be treated with this kind of respect - Thanks EMI!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars-- Bowie at his most theatrical., March 9, 2006

By	Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

After the excesses of his glam era, David Bowie turned his attention to creating a musical based on George Orwell's "1984", but unable to secure the rights to the work, he decided to restructure the material into what ended up being "Diamond Dogs". Still, the pedigree of the material brings it to a significantly different sound then any of Bowie's previous work-- a very much theatrical sound is present throughout the music, and it ends up coaxing some fine performances out of Bowie.

The medley of "Sweet Thing" and "Candidate" is probably the best example of this-- "Sweet Thing" features a romantic piano line that would not be out of place in a stage production and an absolutely stunning lead vocal from Bowie who takes full advantage of his range. His performance is just absolutely staggering, but it has a very theatrical, almost over the top sound to it that reminds you of Freddie Mercury. Likewise, the sing-speak vocal of "We Are the Dead" has the sound of something right out of a stage piece. Mixed in with all this is just some great rock songs-- "Diamond Dogs", "Rebel Rebel" and "Rock & Roll With Me"-- and one piece that traipses at dance music ("1984") to make a pretty well balanced collection.

This edition includes a bonus disc of alternate mixes, unreleased recordings of tracks leftover from the musical, and the superb '03 remake of "Rebel Rebel" as well as a detailed booklet with an extended essay about the recording sessions. It's a worthwhile investment for fans.

I've gone back and forth on how I should rate this one-- it's not quite as powerful as some of his other work, but it has a unique and powerful identity. Call it 4 1/2 stars, highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let's jump in a river, holding hands..., January 4, 2005

By	W. M. Washburn "musician/CD junkie" (Enfield, CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dear God, I love Bowie. Even with the earlier Virgin, or Ryko, or EMI versions of his discs already in my collection, I am the first to go out and pick up the "30th Anniversary" editions when they hit the shelves. Now, I do agree with reviewer J. B. Fresno's comments about the lack of genuinely NEW extras, and also the complaint that, when packaged in rough cardboard sleeves, compact discs tend to get scratched... but I'm too into Bowie for that to matter. Let him give us new editions of his CDs with whole second discs of Springsteen covers... what do I care?! The original 'Diamond Dogs' can always benefit from a decent remaster, and I enjoy having the extras all in one place! Enough said: all the stars in the world for the album, but one star off because the "30th Anniversary" treatment is getting a bit tiresome.

(Let's hope 'David Live' and 'Stage' bring something better to the table. But even if they don't, I'll be glad not to pay in excess of $50 for used Ryko copies on ebay!!)

That all said, here's a run-down of the first disc: It's the original 'Diamond Dogs' remastered. All the glory of Bowie's attempt at a musical version of '1984,' with its haunting MOOG synth lines, dark, stormy production, and Burroughs-inspired cut-up lyrics is in full swing here, drawing no complaints from me. Crystal clear and free of any unwelcome additions/subtractions.

The second disc pulls extras from various places. First, there's "1984/Dodo," which I first heard on Ryko's 'Sound and Vision' set. This track alone is worth the purchase. Following hot on its heels is the "Rebel Rebel" US single version, which also appeared on the 'Sound and Vision' discs. Digable if you've gotten a bit sick of the original "Rebel Rebel." "Dodo" is on my EMI copy of 'DD' and it's a smashing tune. I think that if it was at all possible, it should have been on the album.
After "Dodo" is a romp through a Springsteen tune - "Growin' Up" - which I've never heard before. I think Ron Wood makes an uncredited appearance on guitar... very nice. "Alternative Candidate" appeared on my EMI edition of 'DD' as "Candidate (demo)," and now that I understand it was intended to be part of Bowie's (unfortunately) unfinished '1984' musical, I get where he was coming from. Brilliant work. The next two tracks are edits of "Diamond Dogs" and "Candidate" which appeared on a rare "best of" compilation and "I don't know what," respectively. Not necessary, in my view, but eh. Finally, there's a 2003 version of "Rebel Rebel" which I have on the 'Reality' bonus disc. Decent. Was very nice in concert the two times I got out to see him for the Reality tour.

Anywhom, that's the deal. If you're an insane collector, get it. If you don't have the album already, and you're NOT an insane collector, get it anyway. Otherwise... buy something else by Bowie!!